The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 326 - 325 Staring at the belly - Delighted

Chapter 326: Chapter 325 Staring at the belly - Delighted

Shen Chuwei didn’t realize the Empress was watching her intently, she was just a bit curious why today the Empress’s walking posture seemed odd, as she was leaning to one side.

She wondered if the Empress had slept in a wrong position last night?

But as the Empress held such a high status, she felt it wasn’t her place to comment.

On the way to the inner room, the Empress’s gaze continued to follow Shen Chuwei’s movements. As a woman who had given birth to two sons and had seen many pregnant women, it was inevitable that she felt some doubt.

Entering the inner room, not only was there a basin of ice, but also a palace maid was fanning the air with a round fan, making it much cooler than outside.

The Empress sat on the couch sipping the newly brewed tea prepared by Chun Xi, her beautiful eyes occasionally glancing at Shen Chuwei’s stomach. Standing there with a flat belly, Shen Chuwei showed no signs of what the Empress was looking for.

Shen Chuwei noticed the Empress’s gaze sweeping over her from time to time and subconsciously looked down at her own attire. Since it was too hot in the summer, she specifically asked Chun Xi to make clothes that were simple to wear and most importantly, cool.

Could such attire be inappropriate?

The Empress spoke calmly, "Lady Shen, please sit down to talk."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," said Shen Chuwei as she took a seat on the chair.

Chun Xi, who was standing by, noticed that the Empress had been visiting quite frequently these days. This was the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, adjacent to the Cold Palace, and her young mistress was still under house arrest.

Suddenly, Chun Xi thought of the Empress eating hot pot, a scene comparable to her young mistress’s enthusiasm.

It dawned on Chun Xi that the Empress was here to eat!

Her young mistress was going to be overjoyed.

Nearing lunchtime, the Empress was having tea and chatting leisurely with Shen Chuwei, showing no intention of leaving, clearly wanting to stay for lunch.

Indeed, both the Empress and Shen Chuwei were pondering what would be good for lunch.

Despite the addiction to hot pot after having it several times, they felt an urge to switch up the flavors.

What delicacies had the Empress not tasted in the Imperial Palace?

She turned to Shen Chuwei, "Lady Shen, what would you like for lunch?"

Shen Chuwei quietly asked, "Your Majesty, would you like some braised meat?"

The Empress was first stunned, then intrigued, "Braised meat? What kind of meat is that? Why has this palace never heard of it?"

"It’s very delicious," replied Shen Chuwei.

These past days, Shen Chuwei had stumbled upon the recipe for braised meat while leafing through a cookbook, and the colorful pictures had left her drooling.

Chun Xi, however, wouldn’t let her have any, insisting that fresh meat was better.

The Empress, still trusting Shen Chuwei’s taste, said with some anticipation, "Then let’s have braised meat for lunch."

Chun Xi massaged her forehead; her young mistress had been craving braised meat for days.

Chun Xi didn’t know how to cook braised meat because she had never made it before, so Shen Chuwei went with her to the small kitchen to teach her.

The steps for braising meat were actually quite simple; the most important thing was the braising formula.

The formula was personally concocted by Shen Chuwei, with Chun Xi watching on.

Chun Xi, being smart, caught on quickly.

An hour later, steaming hot braised meat was served on the table.

The meats included braised pork knuckle, pig’s ears, and pig’s head meat.

The vegetable dishes contained braised sliced tofu, kelp, bean curd sticks, braised enoki mushrooms, braised lotus root slices, and braised peanuts.

The Empress, staring at the full table of braised dishes, was so astonished she couldn’t speak. It was her first time seeing braised dishes.

With curiosity and expectation, she picked up a piece of braised meat, chewed on it, and said, "This tastes good, what meat is this made of?"

Shen Chuwei, who had just bitten into a piece of braised pork knuckle, looked up at the Empress and mumbled vaguely, "Pig’s head meat."

Pig’s head meat?

The Empress stared at the meat for a while. Without Shen Chuwei telling her, she wouldn’t have guessed that such delicious meat was made from pig’s head.

The Empress tried every dish until she got to the braised pork knuckle. Seeing Shen Chuwei eating it directly with her hands, she thought about the presence of others, decided not to bother with formalities, and grabbed a knuckle to gnaw on it herself.

Indeed, there was no one else here except for Qing Ying and Chun Xi, who attended to her closely.

Chun Xi watched firsthand as the respectable Empress gradually got led astray by her young mistress.

Just look at how she gnawed on the braised pork knuckle, exactly like her young mistress would.

Qing Ying had served the Empress since childhood, and over the years, the Empress had always maintained the dignified elegance, virtuous and gentle manner expected of an Empress.

But when the Empress was in her teens, she too was a girl who didn’t sweat the small stuff.

Now, being with Lady Shen, she found herself more relaxed and comfortable.

It was the first time the Empress tried braised dishes, and she ended up overeating again.

Even though her stomach felt uncomfortably full, she was exceptionally satisfied.

Fortunately, this time the Empress had the foresight to arrive in the Phoenix Carriage.

In the evening, the despicable Emperor came again, as always asking after her with warmth and concern.

The Empress regarded the Emperor’s change of heart as a mere whimsy, assuming it would pass in a couple of days.

It was not until she heard that the Emperor had promoted a talented woman to the position of Jiayu.

The word in the palace was that He Jiayu, the rookie favorite, was ennobled to Jiayu just after serving the Emperor, her future prospects boundless, set to be the next Ning Concubine.

After serving the Emperor, He Jiayu was due to pay her respects to the Empress the following day.

The Empress looked at He Jiayu kneeling on the ground, in the bloom of youth, a comely face, and a true beauty.

No wonder the Emperor was smitten.

The Empress showered her with gifts before allowing He Jiayu to leave.

The Empress couldn’t help feeling that the Emperor was truly fickle in affection.

Merely a few days had passed since he had tragically lost a favored prince and his consort, yet he showed not a hint of sorrow.

Only the laughter of newcomers is heard, never the weeping of the old.

Indeed, since ancient times, emperors have always been heartless.

In the afternoon, sunlight filtered through the branches as the cicadas incessantly cried.

Shen Chuwei was sprawled on the windowsill, dozing off.

"Sister-in-law, wake up."

She faintly heard someone calling and slowly opened her eyes to see a face very similar to Xiao Jinyan’s, up close.

He was crouching down, being very careful as though afraid of being discovered.

His peach blossom eyes were smilingly fixed on her.

Shen Chuwei rubbed her bleary eyes, "Have you come empty-handed again?"

"How could I? When coming to see my sister-in-law, I must bring something." Xiao Jinyu offered up two large oil-paper wrapped packages to Shen Chuwei with a beaming face, "Sister-in-law, here are the roast duck and meat patties you asked for."

Upon hearing roast duck and meat patties, Shen Chuwei was instantly more alert, "Now, that’s more like it."

She unwrapped the oil-paper package, and the aroma immediately hit her; she tore off a duck leg and started gnawing on it.

Seeing her enjoying the food, Xiao Jinyu ventured to ask, "Sister-in-law, has my brother written to you?"

Chewing and with her cheeks puffed, Shen Chuwei replied, "Yeah, why?"

Xiao Jinyu felt a surge of pride within; he was right to come to the sister-in-law. The Crown Prince only wrote letters to her.

"Did my brother mention when he would return?"

"He did, he said he’d return triumphant within the month." Shen Chuwei gnawed on the duck leg for a while and then brought the meat patty to her lips for a nibble.

"I knew my brother was incredible. Those who doubted him lack vision," a gleam of pride filled Xiao Jinyu’s peach blossom eyes.

Hearing this, Shen Chuwei couldn’t speak properly with the meat patty in her mouth, so she could only nod vigorously in agreement.

Xiao Jinyu cast a glance over Xiaoxiang Pavilion, resenting, "Sometimes our father lacks insight; how could he lock you up in the Cold Palace? Don’t worry, once my brother returns victorious from the war, he will release you immediately."

"It’s okay, I’m doing quite well here," Shen Chuwei responded indifferently.

"I can see you’re doing well, you don’t look at all like those other women who are locked in the Cold Palace." To Xiao Jinyu, the Xiaoxiang Pavilion seemed no different from the Cold Palace.

"Sister Chuwei, something’s happened."

Hearing Chun Xi’s voice, Shen Chuwei quickly wrapped up the roast duck and meat patties, tucking them under the small table, and wiped her greasy mouth with a handkerchief.

Xiao Jinyu watched Shen Chuwei’s actions with puzzlement, "Sister-in-law, what’s going on?"

"It’s nothing, you better leave quickly." Shen Chuwei pushed down on Xiao Jinyu’s forehead, urging him down.

Chun Xi rushed in, "Sister Chuwei, Concubine Xu has caught the plague."

In ancient times, the plague was even more dreadful than cancer, highly contagious with very low chances of survival.

Shen Chuwei pressed, "How could she have contracted the plague all of a sudden?"

"It’s said that she contracted it from using unclean items. Concubine Xu visited just yesterday. Could it be possible that you might have..." Chun Xi dared not continue.

...

Some readers have asked whether I have other works, and yes, you can find them by searching for ’Lord Yun Si’.

Finished historical novel: "Having spoiled the Tyrant Regent’s pampered wife after traveling through books."

Completed modern novel for members: "Madam, your boss is extremely paranoid."

"The pampered wife in Qin Ye’s arms is a big shot."

"Letting loose at the side of the eccentric Young Master Fu."

Free completed novel: "Favorite Obsession: The Reborn Wife is So Sweet."